Exits - marked, but locked, also with mag-lock

[haemphyst]

I am trying to locate any information I can find regarding this issue. I work in a doctor's office, and I was recently designated the "Safety Officer". I am trying to tell him that as an OBVIOUS exit - you can see outside to the parking lot, it must remain unlocked during business hours. It is marked with a lit sign as an exit (which he wants me to remove), above the door, and a lit sign in the primary walkway indicating it as such (which he wants me to modify so the arrow points to a door three times further away, and not plainly visible). He does not want people getting in from the outside (not possible dut to the mag-lock), or patients leaving before they "pay their bill". The maglock (650 pounds) has a HUGE 3 x 3 button immediately to the left of the door, easily accessible for emergency exiting, but if pushed in an emergency, the door will still not open - 'cause it's locked, and I believe that if an alarm occurs, it is automatically released anyway, still to no effect.

How close am I to the target? Should I just let him get the citation, should an inspection occur? Would it be my fault, as the designated safety officer? PLEASE HELP!!! Any codes anybody might find that I can print would be helpful, also. Thanks, in advance!

David

 

[Ron]

This is not an OSHA issue, but one of life safety.

This issue is addressed by your prevailing building code and by NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. The exit cannot be locked during business hours and it must be clearly marked with a lighted sign.

 

[stevenal]

This is an engineering forum. All the engineering ethical codes I'm aware of place public safety above an engineer's obligation to his/her employer.

 

[jsummerfield]

Everywhere you go you will find emergency exist that have an alarm. Perhaps this suits your needs and the employer may spring for this cost.


John

 

[rhodie]

http://www.hanscom.af.mil/hansconian/Articles/2001Arts/06292001-11.htm